The Ontological Foundations of Iranian Philosophy and its Political Requirements

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Iranian Institute of Philosophy, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law & Political Science, University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to outline the ontological foundations of Iranian philosophy from a specific point of view, in order to deduce its political requirements. In the process of explaining and throwing of light upon Iranian ontology, the foundations of epistemology, anthropology and metaphysics were inexorably discussed. In general, the spirit of spirituality and attention to worlds beyond the material and tangible world are so prominent in Iranian thought that it reveals itself in the examination of all the aforementioned areas. Therefore, believing in a hierarchical system of existential worlds and understanding the manifestation of existence and the relationship between the rank of each person in the existential dimensions and the level of his knowledge and awareness, offer a possibility of centrality of the person and the idea of returning to the paradisiacal place and recovery of the delayed eternity. Bearing in mind that anyone who has more knowledge and is placed in higher ranks of existence, has the competence and duty to guide other people who are in a lower rank, the role of an ideal King or Imam as well as other political dimensions of this thought are highlighted.
The key research question is as follows: What political requirements are illustrated in the foundations and specific characteristics of Iranian thought on existence, epistemology, metaphysics, and eschatology? In the research hypothesis, it is asserted that the type of spiritualism and attention to the realms beyond the material and tangible world, which are noticeable in Iranian thought have explicit political consequences. The authors use the qualitative thematic analysis method to examine some prominent works in this field. Their discussions are basically focused on the main themes which together present the core of the ideas and explanations offered by scholars such as Henry Carbon and Alameh Tabatabai to explain the consequences, dimensions, and political foundations of Iranian spiritual philosophy. The conclusion of the study is that the stated principles in these works have presented a spiritual theme of guidance, leadership, and politics, which differ from worldly power and leadership. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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POLITICAL QUARTERLY
Volume 53, Issue 3
December 2023
Pages 447-425

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 October 2017
  • Revise Date: 22 October 2023
  • Accept Date: 03 December 2023

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